Windows ME networking setup problems

[Arild P.]

I'm trying to set a PC running Windows ME up so that I can transfer
files between it and an Apple Mac running MacOS X 10.4.3, but as a
newbie I'm pretty clueless.

I've connected a network cable between the PC's ethernet port and the
Mac's ethernet connector, and believe I have the Mac software settings
correctly set up, but am clueless as to what I should do on the PC.
Whatever I try I'm getting nowhere.

 

[Kurt]

It would depend on whether the shared directory is on the MAC or the PC. The
simplest way would be to share on the PC. OS X is UNIX, so I assume you need
a samba client to access windows shares, and.or a samba server to share from
the MAC to Windows. I've done this (many times) both ways with Linux, but I
claim ignorance when it comes to MAC or UNIX. To share a folder on the Me
box, you'll need to be sure "client for microsoft networks" is installed and
enabled. Also "file and print sharing" must be enabled. Then you must share
a folder. Obvoiously, both the MAC and PC must be configured with IP
addresses on the same subnet. To access a share on a Windows box from a
Linux desktop (gnome) I would open a window and enter the path
smb://computername/sharename. Alternatively, you can mount a Windows share
to a directory. I would guess OS X would require a very similar setup. To
access a samba share on a Linux box from Windows, go to Start -> Run and
type \\computername (or \\IP-Address).

....kurt

 

[Arild P.]

It would depend on whether the shared directory is on the MAC or the PC. The
simplest way would be to share on the PC.

Well, I need to transfer some large files (5.5 Gbytes) from the Mac over
to the PC, then later transfer those same files back to the Mac again.
So I assume this means I need to share both ways.

I've done this (many times) both ways with Linux, but I
claim ignorance when it comes to MAC or UNIX.

The PC also has Linux installed and I've tried that too without getting
anywhere. First I have no idea which program, control panel, setting or
whatever to use in Linux, so I could need some helpful tips here.
It's PCLinuxOS and I see there's a lot of programs already installed
when accessing "Networking" in the "Start" menu.

 

[Kurt]

Again, I believe the trick here is to use samba. Samba is the de facto *nix
app for sharing files with and accessing shares on Windows boxes. I even use
it between Linux boxes becaus I'm so familiar with it. It's (far) beyond the
scope of a newsgroup post to try to go into the workings of samba. I believe
your MAC should have a configuration tool for sharing files to Windows and
vice versa. Also, once again Windows must be configured to share files
(which is much easier than setting up samba). You really only need to share
one-way, you just need read/write access. Another method would be to set up
an ftp server on one or the other boxes. I'd bet the MAC has an ftp server
included. XP Pro also has one. Either way, you'll probably have to do some
research online. Google is your friend! There are many tutorials on how to
share files in all flavors of windows. Windows is much easire than Linux
because everything is point and click to set up (ftp or file sharing). Even
with the gui tools for Samba I always end up editing the configuration file
by hand at some point.

....kurt